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Justin Simien’s ‘Bad Hair’ is a Terrifying Romp that Will Leave You In Stitches

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Bad Hair

Bad Hair is set to premiere on Hulu on October 23, 2020. The new horror-comedy from Justin Simien takes viewers on an Easter-egg filled ride through the late 80s that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

When Anna Bludso (Elle Lorraine) was just a girl, she had a bad experience with a home relaxer that left her scalp badly burned and since that time she’s worn her hair natural. All grown up, Anna works at a budding music television station and she wants nothing more than to be an on-air VJ. Her new boss (Vanessa Williams) tells her that will never happen unless she changes her look, including taming her hair to appeal to a wider audience.

Though she’s terrified, she goes to a posh salon where a stylist (Laverne Cox) gives her a new look. Unfortunately for her, that new weave is deadly with a mind of its own and her nightmare is only just beginning.

This is Simien’s first foray into the realm of horror. His previous work includes the award-winning film Dear White People as well as the follow-up series by the same title, and his talents and voice as both a writer and director are on full display here.

So let’s break this down.

Bad Hair works on multiple levels.

First, you’ve got a great body horror film where a woman’s weave actually comes to life and starts killing people in inventive and fascinating ways. Simien manages to craft a believable mythology around this special, diabolical hair and manages to pay homage to his influences while doing something all his own.

Furthermore, he and his crew support what we see on the screen with a sound design that will make your skin crawl.

This is not an overstatement. I’m telling you when Anna sits down in that chair and Virgie goes to work on her, my head actually began to hurt and I felt myself sinking down into my chair. The film uses these same types of soundscapes throughout to underwrite the horror, reminding the audience that sound can sometimes be even more important than visuals in creating discomfort and fear.

Then there’s the level of pure late 80s nostalgia. So many things were changing in 1989. New music, new fashion, and new trends seemed to be happening every single day. Keeping up with them was nearly impossible but everyone tried.

Simien brings it all to life in the lighting, the clothing, and the music, throwing in little nostalgic Easter Eggs–listen closely for all the song lyrics as dialogue throughout the film. If you lived through the 80s, you’ll recognize it all. If you didn’t you might just emerge a fan.

Then there’s the third, and possibly the most potent level. The underlying horror of Bad Hair comes from the real life experience of the African-American community and the beauty standards that have been forced upon them for centuries.

Why is it necessary to “tame” or cover natural hair? Why is it that natural hair isn’t seen for its own unique beauty? Why is it important for your hair to look a certain way–and let’s be real here, for it to adhere to white, European standards–in order to be taken seriously?

All of this is important and its imperative to Simien’s storytelling, especially as the final frames of the film roll before the credits.

There are no weak links in Justin Simien’s cast for Bad Hair.

Through all of this, Simien’s seriously impressive cast never misses a beat. Lorraine’s Anna is like an open wound as she navigates the new landscape in which she finds herself. She is as much a victim as anyone else around her, and you can feel her desperation as things get out of hand.

Then there’s Vanessa Williams at her cold-hearted, all-business, take-it-or-leave-it best. No one does this better than Williams. She has a way of looking into another person while sharing a scene that just works for this character. She is constantly sizing up everyone around her to make sure she’s still in charge, and believe me when I say she almost always is.

The remainder of the supporting cast is just as strong. Lena Waithe delivers the best one-liners in the film with cool alacrity while Kelly Rowland’s Janet Jackson-styled character practically leaps off the screen and demands that you dance. Laverne Cox, meanwhile, is beautifully ethereal as Virgie, the stylist, and James Van Der Beek oozes smarmy television exec.

Honestly, there are a thousand reasons to watch Bad Hair, and you’ll have your chance on October 23, 2020 on Hulu.

 

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New Poster Reveal For Nicolas Cage’s Survival Creature Feature ‘Arcadian’ [Trailer]

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Nicolas Cage Arcadian

In the latest cinematic venture featuring Nicolas Cage, Arcadian emerges as a compelling creature feature, teeming with suspense, horror, and emotional depth. RLJE Films has recently released a series of new images and a captivating poster, offering audiences a glimpse into the eerie and thrilling world of “Arcadian”. Scheduled to hit theaters on April 12, 2024, the film will later be available on Shudder and AMC+, ensuring a wide audience can experience its gripping narrative.

Arcadian Movie Trailer

The Motion Picture Association (MPA) has given this film an “R” rating for its “bloody images,” hinting at the visceral and intense experience awaiting viewers. The film draws inspiration from acclaimed horror benchmarks like “A Quiet Place,” weaving a post-apocalyptic tale of a father and his two sons navigating a desolate world. Following a catastrophic event that depopulates the planet, the family faces the dual challenge of surviving their dystopian environment and eluding mysterious nocturnal creatures.

Joining Nicolas Cage in this harrowing journey are Jaeden Martell, known for his role in “IT” (2017), Maxwell Jenkins from “Lost in Space,” and Sadie Soverall, featured in “Fate: The Winx Saga.” Directed by Ben Brewer (“The Trust”) and penned by Mike Nilon (“Braven”), “Arcadian” promises a unique blend of poignant storytelling and electrifying survival horror.

Maxwell Jenkins, Nicolas Cage, and Jaeden Martell 

Critics have already begun to praise “Arcadian” for its imaginative monster designs and exhilarating action sequences, with one review from Bloody Disgusting highlighting the film’s balance between emotional coming-of-age elements and heart-pounding horror. Despite sharing thematic elements with similar genre films, “Arcadian” sets itself apart through its creative approach and action-driven plot, promising a cinematic experience filled with mystery, suspense, and relentless thrills.

Arcadian Official Movie Poster

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‘Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 3’ Is a Go with Enhanced Budget and New Characters

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Winnie the Pooh 3

Wow, they’re churning things out fast! The upcoming sequel “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey 3” is officially moving forward, promising an expanded narrative with a larger budget and the introduction of beloved characters from A.A. Milne’s original tales. As confirmed by Variety, the third installment in the horror franchise will welcome Rabbit, the heffalumps, and the woozles into its dark and twisted narrative.

This sequel is a part of an ambitious cinematic universe that reimagines children’s stories as horror tales. Alongside “Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey” and its first sequel, the universe includes films such as “Peter Pan’s Neverland Nightmare”, “Bambi: The Reckoning,” and “Pinocchio Unstrung”. These movies are set to converge in the crossover event “Poohniverse: Monsters Assemble,” slated for a 2025 release.

Winnie the Pooh Poohniverse

The creation of these films was made possible when A.A. Milne’s 1926 children’s book “Winnie-the-Pooh” entered the public domain last year, allowing filmmakers to explore these cherished characters in unprecedented ways. Director Rhys Frake-Waterfield and producer Scott Jeffrey Chambers, of Jagged Edge Productions, have led the charge in this innovative endeavor.

The inclusion of Rabbit, heffalumps, and woozles in the upcoming sequel introduces a new layer to the franchise. In Milne’s original stories, heffalumps are imagined creatures resembling elephants, while woozles are known for their weasel-like characteristics and a penchant for stealing honey. Their roles in the narrative remain to be seen, but their addition promises to enrich the horror universe with deeper connections to the source material.

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How to Watch ‘Late Night with the Devil’ from Home: Dates and Platforms

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Late Night With The Devil

For fans eager to dive into one of this year’s most talked-about horror films from the comfort of their own home, “Late Night with the Devil” will be available for streaming exclusively on Shudder starting April 19, 2024. This announcement has been highly anticipated following the film’s successful theatrical release by IFC Films, which saw it earning rave reviews and a record-breaking opening weekend for the distributor.

“Late Night with the Devil” emerges as a standout horror film, captivating audiences and critics alike, with Stephen King himself offering high praise for the 1977-set film. Starring David Dastmalchian, the movie unfolds on Halloween night during a live late-night talk show broadcast that disastrously unleashes evil across the nation. This found footage-style film not only delivers scares but also authentically captures the aesthetic of the 1970s, drawing viewers into its nightmarish scenario.

David Dastmalchian in Late Night with the Devil

The film’s initial box office success, opening to $2.8 million in 1,034 theaters, underscores its wide appeal and marks the highest opening weekend for an IFC Films release. Critically acclaimed, “Late Night with the Devil” boasts a 96% positive rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 135 reviews, with the consensus praising it for rejuvenating the possession horror genre and showcasing David Dastmalchian’s exceptional performance.

Rotten Tomatoes score as of 3/28/2024

Simon Rother of iHorror.com encapsulates the film’s allure, emphasizing its immersive quality that transports viewers back to the 1970s, making them feel as if they are part of the eerie “Night Owls” Halloween broadcast. Rother lauds the film for its meticulously crafted script and the emotional and shocking journey it takes viewers on, stating, “This whole experience will have viewers of the Cairnes brothers’ film glued to their screen… The script, from beginning to end, is neatly sewn together with an ending that’ll have jaws on the floor.” You can read the full review here.

Rother further encourages audiences to watch the film, highlighting its multifaceted appeal: “Whenever it is made available to you, you must attempt to view the Cairnes Brothers’ latest project as it will make you laugh, it will creep you out, it will amaze you, and it might even strike an emotional cord.”

Set to stream on Shudder on April 19, 2024, “Late Night with the Devil” offers a compelling blend of horror, history, and heart. This film is not just a must-watch for horror aficionados but for anyone looking to be thoroughly entertained and moved by a cinematic experience that redefines the boundaries of its genre.

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